Detailed notes on wildlife rehabilitation including health issues, recognising need, feeding, housing, conflict prevention, common concerns, and a list of helpful resources, and more.
What Causes Human/Wildlife Conflict?
Lack of understanding/appreciation of wildlife
Fear of wild animals
Unintentionally inviting habitats
Human intrusion into wildlife habitat
o Development; subdivisions, plazas etc.
Common Complaints about Wildlife
Raccoons/squirrels in attics
Animals in garbage
Skunks under sheds/porches
Birds in chimneys
Rabbits/deer eating plants
Presence of large predators (bears, coyotes)
Strategies for Conflict Resolution
Determine the problem- Is it actually a problem?
Identify the damage and the animal responsible
Assess the situation- are they open to action or are they closed off?
What action is appropriate- Is an investigations officer needed?
Evaluate the outcome- Call for follow-up (in an ideal world)
Approaches to Dealing with Conflict
Tolerance
Preventing access
o Physical exclusion
o Negative conditioning or repelling animals with scare devices
o Deterrents using bad-tasting or bad-smelling chemical repellents
o Remove the source of attraction
Points of Access for Wildlife
Chimneys that are uncapped
Gutters and eavestroughs- soffit comes loose
Vents
Nearby trees or tall structures
Wildlife Attractants
Outdoor storage areas
Bird feeders
Human garbage
Woodpiles
Water butts
Evidence of Wildlife Presence
Damage to insulation
Damage to roof tiles
Visibly disturbed or stained holes in buildings or porches
, Wildlife Rehabilitation
Chewed wires
Disturbed garbage
Why Not Live Trapping?
It is only a short-term solution
During the Spring and Summer, mothers are separated from their young
Relocation may not be the objective
Animals may injure themselves in the live-trap or suffer from exposure
Pets may harass animals while in a live-trap
Wildlife often do not survive when relocated
Transfer of disease
It is illegal to live-trap and relocate wildlife in Ontario
May be appropriate when:
o Animal is injured or sick
o Animal is trapped within the home
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Must be authorized to perform wildlife rehabilitation
Authorization is received through the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Rehab activities are regulated under the Ontario Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act
Education/training can be obtained through the Ontario Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education
Network (OWREN)
Identifying Wildlife in Need of Help
Thoroughly assess the circumstances related to wildlife
o Injured
o Sick
o Orphaned
If the animal does not require assistance, sometimes you have to explain why
What about “nuisance” wildlife?
Orphaned Wildlife
The absence of a mother/parent is not sufficient reason to believe an animal is orphaned
Staying with their mother is always the preferred option- humans are a poor substitute
Considerations:
o Body Condition
o Hydration
o Energy Level
o Body Temperature
o Parasites
o When it was removed/length of separation
o Rescuer should never offer food or water
Identifying Orphaned Wildlife
General:
o Always observe from a distance
o Consider the biology of the species
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Marlow525. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $11.65. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
